Quality Children's Entertainment Family Movie Reviews

Archive for January, 2019

Adventure and learning await in these heart-warming tales based on the award-winning book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. Join Llama Llama, Nelly Gnu, Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Sheep and Gilroy Goat as they explore their safe, friendly hometown and make childhood memories. On this DVD, watch Llama Llama at his first sleepover with friends! Learn how to share on a play date with Nelly Gnu! Discover what makes Llama Llama’s red pajamas so lucky and so much more! Learn and play with Llama Llama and pals! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ava L. comments, “Wow, this series is so adorable and imaginative because the characters are so curious and always find a new adventure! Llama himself is very, very curious.” Milika L. adds, “based on the book by Anna Dewdney is cute, relatable and playful. You get to meet llama llama’s adorable friends such as the adventurous Nelly Ngu, the fashionable Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Genius sheep and the Bully who becomes a friend of Gilroy the Goat. I love how these friends become closer through service, sleepovers and playdates!” Nathalia J. comments, “This kid- friendly, adventurous, funny and teachable series, created by Anna Dewdney, will have you laughing and giggling throughout most of the episodes. It is intriguing, attractive, hysterical and mirthful.” Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror adds, “I like that there are different types of stories and not all based on the same theme. The characters are unique because – well, how many cartoons feature llamas? I especially like Mama Llama because she is easy to relate to and is a good mom character.” See their full reviews below.

Llama Llama Red PajamaBy Ava L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Wow, this series is so adorable and imaginative because the
characters are so curious and always find a new adventure! Llama himself is
very, very curious.

The series is about Llama, his mama (Mama Llama) and one of
Llama’s best friends, his favorite stuffed animal Fuzzy! In each episode, the
characters face a problem and always seem to find a way to get around them!
Llama loves his friends and cares about them a lot. Llama and his friends go
through almost everything together. Llama and his friends are inseparable!

I like the way Noelle Wright wrote this series! It has a good
plot, a very curious Llama which kids love and finds a way to put humor into
the story. I also really like the intro music. It gets me in the mood! My
favorite part of each episode is when Llama finds a problem because it gets me
more into the story or scene.

This series is perfect for kids and has no bad actions or bad
language. The message this show is trying to teach is that whenever there is a
problem, you can get past it. Also, it reminds you that you can do anything if
you put your mind to it!

I give this 4 out of 5 stars, because I like the lesson they are teaching. I wish there had more challenges for Llama and his friends though. I recommend this series for kids ages 2 to 18. It is available on DVD January 29, 2019, so look for it!

Llama Llama Red PajamaBy Milika Lomu, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Llama Llama Red Pajama, based on the book by Anna Dewdney
is cute, relatable and playful. You get to meet llama llama’s adorable friends such
as the adventurous Nelly Ngu, the fashionable Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Genius
sheep and the Bully who becomes a friend of Gilroy the Goat. I love how these friends become
closer through service, sleepovers and playdates!

In the episode “Noisy Neighbor,” Llama
Llama and his friends take up community service where they have to clean up the
yard of a scary neighbor. They are interrupted several times by the neighbor
and can’t finish their work. Eventually, they figure out who the scary neighbor
really is. To find out who the neighbor is you’ve got to watch this DVD.

I have so many favorite parts, but
if i had to pick one, it would be from the episode “Time to Share.” Nelly Ngu
accidentally rips off Llama Llama’s favorite teddy bear’s arm. Mama Llama saves
the day by sewing the arm back on and their friendship is saved. In that moment,
they realize that sharing is really caring. Luna the Giraffe is my favorite
character. Besides the fact that she’s so fashionable, she’s also silly and
crafty. In the episode “Lucky Pajama,” Luna helps Llama Llama spread the luck
with their friends. She does this by making accessories out of the red lucky
pajamas. The music is lighthearted and made me feel like I wanted to be apart
of their town. Llama Llama lives in a little peaceful town where he bike rides
almost everywhere with Mama Llama. In this little town everyone knows each
other.

There are many messages that I took away
from this, but the most important is to be kind, practice patience and realize that
your actions can effect others in a positive and negative way.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars
and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. This DVD is available January 29, 2019 so
look for it.

Are you ready
to join the adventurous characters Llama Llama, Luna Giraffe, Nelly Gnu, Euclid
the sheep, Gilroy Goat, Mama Llama and more? This kid- friendly, adventurous,
funny and teachable series, created by Anna Dewdney, will have you laughing and
giggling throughout most of the episodes. It is intriguing, attractive, hysterical and
mirthful.

Adventure
and learning awaits in these heart-warming tales based on the award-winning
book series. The stories follows Llama Llama and his five friends as they
explore their friendly hometown and make childhood memories. They face
different problems, but always find a way to get around them. You get to see Llama
Llama’s get-go sleep-over with three of his friends. You also get to watch Llama
Llama as he learns to share at his play-date with Nelly Gnu, which involve his
new car his grandparents give him.

My favorite
part is when Llama Llama learns how to be separated from his adorable bear
named Fuzzy Llama, who is his best friend and who he can’t sleep without. I
love this part because it’s unquestionably relatable. Fun Fact: I also have my
very own Fuzzy Llama, who I can’t bear being separated from. When I’m away from
home, it’s my bear CJ and my blanket Cozy.

My favorite character
is Mama Llama, because she is such a kind, peaceful and loving mother and
definitely proves that throughout the series. This DVD’s message teaches you
valuable life experiences. It is fantastic for kids and has no bad actions or
bad language.

I give this DVD
5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 through 10. It is available
January 29, 2019. So, look for it!

Llama Llama red pajamaDenise Bloomfield

I found
this DVD quite appealing. I like Llama and the other characters, especially
Mama Llama. As a mom, even though my son is now a teenager, the first episode
on the DVD brought back memories about a young child not wanting to go to bed.
I also like the catchy rhyming. It’s a fun series of shows. There are eight
different episodes on the DVD featuring Llama Llama and his mama and friends.
All are engaging and have different storylines and are appropriate for young
children and some may even teach children how to share.

I like the
story lines because they are fun to watch. They are engaging with likable
characters and perfect for preschoolers. The shows are all animated with bright
colors and different scenes. I like that there are different types of stories
and not all based on the same theme. The characters are unique because – well,
how many cartoons feature llamas? I especially like Mama Llama because she is
easy to relate to and is a good mom character. The costumes fit with the
characters. Most of the scenes take place where in Llama and Mama’s neighborhood
and in their house. They may not be memorable per se, but they fit the story
lines. The music sticks out, especially the theme song which is catchy. I can
imagine young children singing along.

There is a
message to the shows about being kind to others and learning how to share and
be a friend. Young children will learn things such as being a friend and how to
share. I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5 years
old. It is available on DVD now from NCircle Entertainment so look for it.

Posted in DVDs Released | Comments Off on Llama Llama Red Pajama – Adorable And Imaginative With Curious Characters And Adventures

Enjoy the first volume of the third season of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! The award-winning television show follows the adventures of 6-year-old best friends, Sally and Nick, as they’re whisked off on amazing voyages of scientific discovery with the Cat in the Hat. Thanks to the Thinga-ma-jigger and our friends, exploring has never been more exciting! In this volume set, kids will learn how accidents and mistakes can lead to discovery, how the shape of an object impacts the way it bounces, and how changing the direction of a force can make heavier things easier to move. But the discoveries don’t end there! We learn how mirrors reflect and bounce images, how to change the volume and pitch of a sound, and much, much more! So let’s go, go, go, go on an adventure – we’re flying with The Cat in the Hat today! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic SaniyaRain F. comments, “The Cat in the Hat is superb! I love the Cat in the Hat because he makes me laugh with his made up words and his corny jokes.” Alejandra G. adds, “This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch since the plots are well prepared in a way that kids can both understand and relate to.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jordan M. adds, “I like how this show talks about realistic concepts, but it’s done in a creative way that still ties in the magic of Dr. Seuss. The show engages kids with scientific concepts and encourages them to begin observing their surroundings.” KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Kimberly M. wraps it up with, “The Cat in the Hat is voiced by well-known comedian Martin Short. The segments are short enough to hold the attention of the target age group. Children will most likely want to see more than one story at a time. Thus, they can absorb science information in an exciting way.” See their full reviews below.

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About
That! Season 3, Volume 1
By SaniyaRain Fowler, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The second episode is called “Play Ball.” It is a funny story about
Sally getting a new ball and a boy loses it when he throws it up and it gets
caught in the tree branches. Cat then takes them to a really cool ball palace
with lots and lots of cool balls. They try to find the right bouncy ball for
Sally. Cat gives her a tool that helps her look closely to see if the balls
bounce. They finally find a ball she likes. Sometimes, things can be replaced
and sometimes they can’t. One thing is for sure, we will always lose stuff, even
people. We have friends and sometimes they might lose our belongings and we get
mad. Sometimes friends do stuff to hurt our feelings. We have to decide if the
object is more important than our friend or is our friend more important.
Losing anything is not fun, but it happens.

The third episode is “Gravity Drop.” This is my second favorite episode.
It is about a boy getting his plane stuck in a tree. They go to a valley that
allows you to have more or less gravity. It looks fun because they are floating
through the air when there is less gravity. It reminds me of going on a
rollercoaster and going up into the air and then getting dropped back down.
This is like a learning video because it teaches the viewer about gravity.

The last episode, “Design Time” is my favorite of all. It is my favorite
because Sally makes a vase for her mom and the boy makes a robot for his dad.
Sally has trouble making the vase so Cat takes them to blueprintia where they
learn how to create blueprints of what they want to make. They learn that they
must have a plan in order to do something correctly. That is like life, too.
You have to have a plan. You have to think before you do something or make
something. If you want things to go right, plan it first. I give this DVD 5 out
of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. This is available on DVD now so,
be sure to look for it. Reviewed by SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age
11

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot
About That: Season 3, Volume 1
By Alejandra Garcia, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Cat in the Hat is superb! I love the Cat in the Hat because he makes
me laugh with his made up words and his corny jokes. The first episode that I
watched was about Sarah the Inventor. This series has been around since 2010,
but every time I watch it, I see something new. I think it is for everyone. The
family can learn lots of lessons from each show. Sarah is an inventor like me.
I create masterpieces on canvas, but Sarah invented the paint fall. When Sally
hits the paint fall, all the colors get mixed up and start forming a color that
one of the characters needs for his mountain. This episode is called “Accidents
Happen if You’re Lucky.” As we get older, we learn that sometimes the things we
plan don’t go the way we want them to, but can still have a good outcome.
Different doesn’t always mean better and that is something we should understand
about people. All people do not look alike, but we are all important in our own
ways.

To start off, I
want to comment on how The Cat in the Hat
Knows a Lot About That: Season 3, Volume 1 and
the rest of this series impacts children in a positive way due to the
vocabulary and other lessons taught in each episode. This series is very
enjoyable for kids to watch since the plots are well prepared in a way that kids
can both understand and relate to. I didn’t follow The Cat in the Hat
when I was younger, but I feel it is very attracted to its target audience. The
way the show is made, with all the colorful objects and the plots that draw you
in is quite interesting.

The episodes on
this DVD contain different stories and plots, but the format and the meaning are
consistent. All the adventures have different plots and all the characters are inquisitive and enthusiastic
about learning. This motivates kids’ curiosity about the natural world and
encourages them to follow the positive examples.

My favorite
scene is at the end of when episode when The Cat in the Hat, his cat cousins,
Nick, Sally, Fish and all his family gather together for a great musical finale
where they are celebrated as true adventurers. I like this scene because it is
a very creative with great songs and how the it is organized. It definitely
gets children’s attention in every way possible.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot
About That! Season 3, Volume 1
By Jordan
Millar, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

These imaginative episodes from the popular television series
are incredibly animated and provide a unique take on Dr. Seuss’s classic
storybook characters. In fact, when I was younger, I used to watch this show on
a regular basis, so it is nice to bring back that sense of nostalgia.

Episodes follow the miraculous adventures of young friends Sally
and Nick. Every day, they join the whimsical Cat in the Hat, who guides them on
magical, scientific explorations. Fans of Dr. Seuss will also recognize their
favorite characters like Fish, Thing One and Thing Two. In this volume, kids
are be able to learn many different things, such as how boats are able to
float, how bridges are built and how certain accidents can lead to new
discoveries.

In each episode, Sally, Nick and The Cat in the Hat test things
out and run different experiments to draw conclusions. It is very interactive
with characters always asking questions that help viewers think. At the end of
each episode, they also provide experiments that kids can do at home. Visually
the series is just like the places in Dr. Seuss’s original books. I like the
elaborate and artistic scenery, the quirky dialogue and fun songs.

I like how this show talks about realistic concepts, but it’s
done in a creative way that still ties in the magic of Dr. Seuss. The show
engages kids with scientific concepts and encourages them to begin observing
their surroundings. Although there is no primary lesson, there are multiple
things you can learn by watching every episode!

I rate this production 4 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3
to 7, but it is great for the entire family. You can find it on DVD now so look
for it.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That: Season 3, Volume 1By Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

In this DVD,
the Cat in the Hat, along with 6-year-old best friends Sally and Nick, Thing #1
and Thing #2 and Fish go on numerous adventures dealing with scientific
discoveries. The separate stories include dealing with the phenomenon of
shadows and how they are made, why a slide loses friction, why accidents can be
a positive thing and why some magnets attract and others do the exact opposite.
The stories are approximately 15 minutes each. The set consists of two discs
and is approximately 220 minutes long.

The important
message that this show teaches is in encouraging kids’ curiosity about the natural world. The series answers
questions about natural science in a kid-friendly way. They learn about the
seasons, animal behavior, habitats and more – learning to appreciate the wonder
of exploration and discovery. The day and night concept, animals, plants,
planets, gravity and a lot more are taught in fun ways and make kids catch it fast.
I recommend this for ages 5 to 8 and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The DVD
consists of 20 episodes plus a bonus section with five snippets around two to
three minutes each, all of which reinforce the scientific facts in the stories.
Also available is a Spanish language sub-title option. The Cat in the Hat is
voiced by well-known comedian Martin Short.

The segments
are short enough to hold the attention of the target age group. Children will
most likely want to see more than one story at a time. Thus, they can absorb
science information in an exciting way. I like the separate adventures that
deal with science facts. I could relate to the story about the children’s slide
because I recall being at a popular amusement park as a child, where one of the
popular attractions was a gigantic slide. When I was younger, I was able to
slide down gracefully. Years later, as a pre-teen, I was not able to slide down
the slide without becoming stuck at some point because of the friction issues.
This was probably because of the bumpiness in the aging attraction. After many
complaints, it was dismantled. Another story segment I found interesting was
the opposites magnets attracting. I enjoyed when they were streaming down the
river in red and blue boats and have to match the color of the boat with the
same color of the oncoming rock in order to keep from crashing into it.

I recommend
this DVD for ages 5 to 9 and give it a 5 out of 5 stars. It is available on DVD
now, so check it out!

Posted in DVDs Released | Comments Off on The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That! Season 3, Volume 1 – Superb! Martin Short as The Cat Makes Me Laugh

Old school magic meets the modern world in this epic
adventure. Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) thinks he’s just another nobody, until
he stumbles upon the mythical sword in the stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite
his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary
wizard Merlin (Sir Patrick Stewart), take on the wicked enchantress Morgana
(Rebecca Ferguson). With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader
he never dreamed he could be. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Damon F. comments,
“…it is a good combination of an action movie and a heartwarming storyline that
gives it a great message.” Zoe C. adds, “I like how it starts with illustrations that
look like you are reading a book, then transitions to a live action film. While
watching this, it made me think about Harry
Potter, although it is very different than other magical and majestic films
like the Harry Potter films, Fantastic Beasts and other
fantasy movies.” Juanita L. wraps it up with, “It is a family film full of adventure and a very timely version of a
classic tale about the famous Excalibur sword of King Arthur and his knights of
the round table. Writer/Director, Joe Cornish gives us a fresh look at the King
Arthur tale.” See their full reviews below.

The Kid Who Would Be King
By Damon F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

The Kid Who Would Be
King is a
heartwarming film about a boy named Alexander who finds out that he is the
future king of Britain.
Now he, his friends and his enemies, must embark on a quest to defeat a wicked
enchantress named Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) before the end of a solar eclipse.
This film is based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Table, including the legend of the magical sword, Excalibur. At night, everyone
disappears from the world except for Alex and anyone he has knighted. This way
they can take whatever they want and try to defeat all of Morgana’s minions.
When they are all gone, Alex and his knights stay where they are and everything
else returns to normal.

There are lots of cool scenes in this film that involve exciting sword battles. In my interview with Sir Patrick Stewart (Merlin), Rhianna Dorris (Kaye) and Louis Ashbourne Serkis (Alex), I learned that the cast used real swords to train with to learn the real feel and heaviness of medieval swords and armor. However, in the actual film they used realistic plastic swords, because otherwise it would be too dangerous.

My favorite character in this film is Merlin (Angus Imrie/Sir Patrick Stewart). He is serious and gets things done most of the time, but he also does a lot of funny and cool things that are really appealing to watch. For example, when he does his magic, all the stuff around him is flying through the air and all the lights are flickering. That is a really interesting effect.

My favorite scene is when Alexander and a few of his knights
are rushing through the woods on horses, while trying to defeat a large army of
fire monsters on fire breathing horses who are trying to take Excalibur away
from them. This scene is very exciting and has a few funny parts in it too.

The message of this film is that anyone can be a king; you
just need to have a good heart and follow the knight’s code which says that you
must “honor those you love, refrain from wanton offence, speak the truth at all
times and persevere in any enterprise until the end.”

I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages
7 to 18, because it is a good combination of an action movie and a heartwarming
storyline that gives it a great message. I think adults will enjoy watching
this with their kids. This movie opens in theaters on, January 25, 2019. Look
for it!

The Kid Who Would be King
By Zoe C. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

This movie is very interesting. I like
how it starts with illustrations that look like you are reading a book, then
transitions to a live action film. While watching this, it made me think about Harry Potter, although it is very
different than other magical and majestic films like the Harry Potter films,
Fantastic Beasts and other fantasy movies.

The film is based in the King Arthur story and retold in a
modern way. It’s about a boy named Alex (Louis Ashborne Serkis) who finds the
Excalibur sword and embarks on an adventure trying to battle bullying and
injustice. He teams up with his best friend in his journey to become a great
leader. Alex and his enemies conform a group of brave knights to fight monsters
and defy great dangers.

In the beginning, Alex and his best friend
Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) are victims of bullying at their school. They believe
they are regular boys, until one day Alex comes across a sword in a big rock. He
pulls it out and he shows it to Bedders. Later, they realize that everything
that happens to them is similar to what happened in a book Alex’s dad gave him
with a very special dedicatory. It is a very special book because, despite that
his father left, he has feelings for him. He and Bedders go on a quest that
replicates in many ways the story of the King Arthur legend. Alex
not only discovers his power for being a leader and doing good deeds, it is
also a self discovery of loss and acceptance.

This spin on the classic King Arthur tale
has a different purpose than other films or interpretations of this classic
tale: – to show todays’ kids the power of classic tales, the importance of
books and to find the good within ourselves by retelling the story in a
contemporary way and making it relatable to a new generation.

The film reminds us why books are essential in
our education and how they show messages about perseverance and loyalty. In the
movie, the main characters face lots of obstacles and some are very scary!

The scenes with the medieval villain Morgana
are particularly exiting. I also love the scenes with Merlin, especially the
younger one. They are funny and obviously magical. I like that Alex and
Beddders team up with their enemies in their journey. I enjoy the sets in London from the landscapes near the city to the beautiful Stonehenge. The sets and costumes are well done. The
acting is very good and the special effects believable.

The story flows well, although there are so many scenes that make the film longer than necessary. Another thing that bothered me is that it references so many things we have seen in other films. That makes it not very original. Also, some scenes are a little too over dramatic. I do like how this film shows the classic tale based on someone pulling a sword out of a stone and becoming king.The message of this film is that nobody is just ordinary. We just have to discover the great powers we have within ourselves. I give The this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids 6 to 18. It opens in theaters on January 25, 2019. So look for it.

The Kid Who Would Be King
Juanita L., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

I
enjoyed watching The Kid Who Would Be
King. It is a family film full of adventure and a very timely version of a
classic tale about the famous Excalibur sword of King Arthur and his knights of
the round table. Writer/Director, Joe Cornish gives us a fresh look at the King
Arthur tale.

I
like that the story is retold using the book given to Alex (Louis Ashbourne
Serkis) as the source for his adventure. We see Alex along with his fellow
students at school and going about their daily activities as they hear and see
negative news about a divided United
Kingdom. It is similar to the type of
activities we are experiencing in the United States today.

We
see Alex defending his friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo), a would-be magician,
which leads him to become the target of bullies Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye
(Rhianna Doris). After running from them, Alex discovers a sword in a stone. He
and Bedders deem it to be Excalibur.
Alex is reminded by Bedders and his book of King Arthur of his mission
to unite and fight the evil of Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) sister of King
Arthur.

My
favorite scene is when young Merlin (Angus Imrie) appears at the school as a
lanky new teen student with an ill-fitting uniform. To me, he steals the scene
with his hand actions, clicking and snapping to perform his sorcery. The repetition of his sorcery provides some
elements of humor and, at one point, I tried to duplicate his hand actions.

The
CGI and other visuals and music are acceptable. Be aware that there is fantasy
action violence, scary images with bullying. The Kid Who Would Be King has an important and timely message. We
see young people standing up to wrongs and taking on what is right. Age is not a deterrent and a group victory
can be achieved.

I
recommend this film for ages 8 to 18, and some adults. I give it 5 out 5 stars.
This opens in theaters January 25, 2019 so, look for it.

M. Night Shyamalan brings together the narratives of two of
his standout originals—2000’s Unbreakable, from Touchstone, and 2016’s Split,
from Universal—in one explosive, all-new comic-book thriller: Glass. From
Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as
Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy,
reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who
reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive
an encounter with The Beast. Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s
superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the
shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical
to both men. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nancy F. comments, “This unique film is
such a great combination of comedy, action and drama and that’s what makes it
unique and different. I didn’t want to
look away during any part of the film, because every second you feel like you
want to know more.” Jordan M. adds, “This
action-packed film, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, puts a unique twist on the
classic theme of a superhero movie. As another addition to Unbreakable and Split, this movie ties the series together
well and I enjoyed it.” See their full reviews below.

GlassBy Nancy F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

(from left) James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb/The Horde and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke in “Glass,” written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

The film Glass is breathtaking!
This unique film is such a great combination of comedy, action and drama and
that’s what makes it unique and different.
I didn’t want to look away during any part of the film, because every
second you feel like you want to know more.
The way each story is laid out is outstanding. Each character is so
unique and all have their own strengths and weaknesses. The film is so
extraordinary that you think you have powers.

The story line is about three people who have amazing gifts that are so unbelievable that they start to believe they are more then just a person with amazing gifts. Then, a doctor finds out about them and takes them in because she doesn’t believe that they have extraordinary gifts. She believes they just have mental disabilities from accidents that happened to each of them during their lives. She tries repeatedly to make them believe that they are all normal with a disability, until they decide to do something insane to show her that they are not just a normal people and are special. This film will surely bring chills, smiles, laughter and maybe even tears to those who watch it.

James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb/The Horde, a man who whose mind houses 23 different personalities, in “Glass,” written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

My favorite part is when Anya Joy (as Casey) speaks to Kevin
Crumb who has split personalities – good and bad. During this conversation, Casey talks to all
of Kevin’s various personalities and the love she shows somehow fights off the
other personalities. It is heartfelt to
watch this scene because it shows how important their friendship is.

The message of this film is that we are all special. All we need to do is express ourselves and
not hide. Another message is that it doesn’t matter if other people believe in
you. As long as you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

GlassBy Jordan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Bruce Willis as David Dunn/The Overseer in “Glass,” written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

I rate this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages
12 to 18, including adults. I truly
believe that many who watch this film will really enjoy it. This film opens in
theaters on January 18, 2019. Look for it!

This action-packed film, directed by M. Night Shyamalan,
puts a unique twist on the classic theme of a superhero movie. As another
addition to Unbreakable and Split, this movie ties the series together
well and I enjoyed it.

(from left) Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price/Mr. Glass and James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb/The Horde in “Glass,” written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

The comic book thriller follows security guard David Dunn,
who uses his heroic powers to find a troubled man named Kevin Wendell Crumb,
who has a superhuman alter-ego and twenty-four distinct personalities. When the
men are captured and taken to a mental institution, they encounter another
character, named Mr. Glass. The doctor informs them that she has three days to
convince them that superheroes are not real, but she is yet to realize that the
three characters are meant to be connected by fate.

This movie puts you into a new perspective, and makes you
think differently. The stunt coordinator, Mohammed J. Ali, incredibly incorporates
action and fighting into certain scenes. However, the plot is sometimes unclear
and characters’ roles sre unbalanced, so some people receive more attention
than others. My favorite scene is when the main characters sit in chairs and
are asked to recall moments that make them believe they’re superheroes. The
doctor tries to convince them that there is a logical explanation behind these
events, but as viewers, this is when we know that they have powers.

The movie overall has a deep meaning that there are more
complications than good and evil and the idea of superheroes clashes with
modern day society. Although the movie contains some mild profanity and violent
scenes, it is still a great film to watch.

I rate this production 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for
ages 11 to 18, as well as adults. It opens in theaters Friday, January 18,
2019. Look for it!

Posted in Feature Film Reviews | Comments Off on Glass – Unique Twist On Superhero Movies With Lots Of Comedy, Action And Drama

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a
struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles
in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case
with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the
direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella L. comments, “The
characters are well crafted and the aesthetic of the 50s to 70s time period
really sets the tone of the movie. It feels real and true, as opposed to the
glorified version of the story that some biographical films show. The
authenticity and uniqueness of the film really helps it stand out.” See her
full review below.

On the Basis of SexBy Ella Ladd, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Felicity Jones stars as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Mimi Leder’s ON THE BASIS OF SEX, a Focus Features release.

On the Basis of Sex is such a fun and empowering film. I enjoyed it quite a bit as it was equally entertaining and informative. The characters are well crafted and the aesthetic of the 50s to 70s time period really sets the tone of the movie. It feels real and true, as opposed to the glorified version of the story that some biographical films show. The authenticity and uniqueness of the film really helps it stand out. This is a very important movie for people see.

This film follows the true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones), a young and gifted lawyer, who struggles to find work simply because she is a woman. In order to prove that the law discriminates on the basis of sex, Ms. Ginsburg has to work harder than she ever has before.

Felicity Jones stars as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Mimi Leder’s ON THE BASIS OF SEX

The film is very well written with an immaculate attention to detail, thanks to
the writer being Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s nephew Daniel Stiepleman, whom I had the
pleasure of interviewing. It is full of heart and truth because Justice
Ginsburg made sure everything was accurately portrayed. She read all of the
drafts of the scripts to make sure that her story told well. It is never
boring! I laughed out loud when it was funny and got angry seeing RBG rejected
and having doors slammed in her face, due to her gender.

The acting is really great. Both Armie Hammer, who portrays
Martin Ginsburg and Cailee Spaeny who portray Jane Ginsburg absolutely blew me
away. Armie portrays Martin as a man who really loves and respects his wife in
such a heartwarming way. Cailee portrays Jane as a funny and empowered
feminist. The relationship between Jane and Ruth is displayed with such honesty
and realism. My only complaint about the acting might be that Ruth’s accent
could have been much stronger.

Felicity Jones stars as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Mimi Leder’s ON THE BASIS OF SEX, a Focus Features release.

I rate this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages
9 to 18, as well as adults. This film tells such a special and unique story,
one that is incredibly important, with equal amounts of heart, humor, turmoil
and honesty. This triumphant story really gets you thinking. It opens
nationwide in theaters January hits theatres worldwide on January 11, 2019, so
do yourself a favor and go watch it.

Posted in Feature Film Reviews | Comments Off on On the Basis of Sex – Well Crafted and Authentic Representation of the Iconic RBG